During the social media Q&A for his film My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?, director Werner Herzog fielded a question from fellow director David Lynch. Lynch asked Herzog via Twitter to tell the story about the time he saved the life of actor Joaquin Phoenix near the director’s home. First Look Studios, who hosted the event, was later approached by animator Sascha Ciezata about producing an animated short using audio from the interview. When Herzog Rescued Phoenix was posted to Youtube this past Monday, September 13th. The short relates in cutesy style what surely must have been a harrowing experience for everyone involved, a feeling that is reinforced by Herzog’s matter-of-fact voiceover. I do wonder if it was really a Prius that Joaquin creamed with his Camaro, though. Hit the jump to see the clip, as well as the original Herzog interview.

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